Chapter Twelve

Grace stormed out of Eli's office, wishing she didn't have a shift to work with Eli. She went to the ladies room and splashed some water on her face. Luckily the few tears that she shed didn't make a mess of her face. She took a few deep breaths before she left the restroom. Then, she tied on her waitress apron and went out into the restaurant and to her first table.

For the first hour, it wasn't so bad. She put all of her energy into work. She dodged Spencer because she didn't feel like talking to him right now and she kept on catching Eli looking at her from his office.

Grace- rolls her eyes. "I wish he would shut his blinds."

The second hour, Spencer cornered her while she was working on one of her table's bill.

"Grace, what's wrong?" he asked, looking concerned.

"Spencer, I don't think we should have coffee right now. I have a lot of things going on in my head and I'm just not interested in dating right now."

Spencer's eyebrows raised, "Dating? Us? Grace, I just wanted to catch up. I didn't want to date you. I wanted to talk to my old friend. I'm sorry if I gave you a different impression."

Grace - "That is so embarrassing!"

"You don't? Wow! That's great, Spencer!" she said, animatedly. "I am so relieved! I don't need any more drama in my life right now. I'm sorry – did I come across as a crazy ex-girlfriend?"

He laughed, "Not at all. Besides, Grace..." he looked around, "that's kind of wanted I wanted to talk to you about. I'm gay."

"You are?" she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him. "Oh Spencer! When did you realize it?"

"Shortly after we broke up, actually. While I was in therapy. All of these emotions started coming out. I didn't date anyone until I went to college, though," he replied.

Grace broke from their hug and looked at the window to Eli's office. She knew he had been watching their conversation, but her heart pulled at the sadness in his eyes.

"Spencer, I need to go do something. Are you still up for coffee? Say Saturday at 2?" she asked.

"Sure! I'll see you then, Grace. And I'll cover your tables while you take your break."

Grace quickly marched into Eli's office without knocking. She shut the door behind her and, without saying a word, went straight to the window and shut his blinds. She took a deep breath before she pivoted and looked at him.

Eli - "What the hell does she think she's doing?"

"I wanted to kiss you last night, Eli. And I did. And that kiss was wonderful and everything I thought it would be since high school. High School, Eli! But what did that kiss mean? Are we in a relationship now? We never acted on our feelings before – and I knew at some point you had feelings for me in the past – because we are siblings. Yes, I know – you're my step-brother, Eli and not my biological brother so in all of the 50 states, a relationship would be legal. But what would it do? What would it do to our parents? And you're moving in with me, Eli. Do most people kiss their new roommates before they move in?" she gulped for air.

Eli just looked at her, speechless. He hadn't seen Grace cause an outburst like this in a long time. He drew his chair back and stood up. "Grace, I..."

She held up her index finger, "Do NOT interrupt me right now, Eli. I wanted to kiss you last night and I did. And now, you are ignoring me and glaring at me because I am talking to a friend. A friend, Eli, who I might point out is gay..."

Eli – couldn't help but smile.

"So now, I have all of these feelings that I've never acted on until last night. And now, you aren't speaking to me. So I wish I could take all of that back, Eli. Because although I feel like I could love you differently, I have to still love you like my brother..."

And before she could finish, Eli had crossed in front of his desk and stopped her tirade by kissing her. This time, the kiss was hard and right to the point. His tongue shoved her lips apart and his embrace squeezed her entire torso. She held on to him as she let tears fall because no matter what crazy ideas were dancing in her head, she knew she wanted this. She knew she wanted him.

Finally, he pulled away from her and sat on the edge of his desk. She sat beside him. "Grace... I know this complicates everything. I never should have agreed to move in with you because I've been attracted to you for over six years." She raised her eyebrows, "Yes... six years, Grace. But I don't want to throw away what we could have, what I want. Because I want you, Grace. I need you. So, you need a roommate and I need you. We are at a conundrum. So, if that means we live together as siblings for the next few months until you can find a roommate, than I will wait. Because I've already waited this long for you, Grace, what's a few more months?"

Grace swallowed hard. She had no idea Eli had such feelings for her. Sure, he had checked her out and held her hand on occasion, and she knew back in the day that he cared, but she didn't realize this could happen.

She gave him on last quick kiss and said, "I need to get back to my tables. But Eli, I don't want to wait. Come home with me tonight and we'll try to figure everything out."